Darla Weaver, wife of Pastor Randy Weaver with the Lone Star Cowboy Church, advises Montgomery officials they could not pass an ordinance that penalizes other organizations if city officials have a concern with the church. less

Darla Weaver, wife of Pastor Randy Weaver with the Lone Star Cowboy Church, advises Montgomery officials they could not pass an ordinance that penalizes other organizations if city officials have a concern with ... more

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Area residents gather outside Montgomery City Hall to discuss city official’s consideration of a dust ordinance.

Area residents gather outside Montgomery City Hall to discuss city official’s consideration of a dust ordinance.

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Talk of dust ordinance stirs concern in Montgomery

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MONTGOMERY - Concern about the growing problem of dust coming from unpaved driveways and parking lots — and how city officials will choose to deal with it — prompted higher attendance at Montgomery City Council Tuesday night.

Original plans to name a successor to the Position 5 seat on city council were tabled when it was revealed that neither Mayor John Fox nor Councilman Joe Shockley were in attendance at the meeting. The meeting proceeded with Councilmen Jon Bickford, John Champagne and Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Jones.

Area business woman Bea Rouse expressed concern about an agenda item indicating consideration and possible action on the creation of a dust ordinance. City Administrator Bill Kotlan and Councilman Champagne said city officials had received several complaints from area residents about dust.

The extended drought in Texas has created extremely dry conditions - resulting in dust being blown from driveways, parking lots and open lot areas.

Rouse said the cost of paving parking lots would be prohibitive for some residents and businesses. Champagne said concrete and asphalt were one solution, but there were other chemicals and treatments that could be applied to crushed rock parking lots that could help control dust.

Kotlan said the city has no dust ordinance at present, but the issue could possibly be addressed under the city’s existing nuisance ordinance. Councilman Jones said the issue is subjective, like the issue of noise, and difficult to monitor and enforce.

“Residents are complaining,” said Bickford. “We need to address their concerns.”

Darla Weaver, wife of Pastor Randy Weaver of the Lone Star Cowboy Church in Montgomery, said the general talk of a dust problem was aimed specifically at the church. The church has a large, unpaved parking lot as well as a large arena used for rodeo and other activities.

“The church has always sought to be a positive contribution to this community,” she said. “If we are the cause of a problem, then we should be the ones to take care of it — we don’t want individuals or businesses to pay a price for this.”

Weaver said LSCC spent thousands of dollars to enhance the lives of area children and residents. She said if city officials required it, money could be diverted to pay for paving the church’s gravel parking lot or some other solution to reduce dust.

“It’s a matter of choosing between dirt in our contact lenses or pouring money into the community,” she said. “If you’re looking at regulations on this, don’t do anything to hurt private citizens, other churches or the local business community.”

Champagne said the goal was not to oppressive to any one or any organization — but to attempt to address an issue that was a growing concern to area residents.

“We appreciate the role and contributions the church makes to the community,” he said. “But at some point, we need to address the issue that is a concern to your neighbors and residents.”

Weaver said the church had begun construction of a tall fence that she hoped would resolve the concern over dust. She could not provide any details on height or composition of the fence.

City council approved a motion directing Kotlan to review the issue of dust pollution in Montgomery and determine possible solutions for city officials to consider at a subsequent meeting — including whether a specific dust ordinance was necessary.

“We are not singling out the church,” said Champagne. “We would like to resolve this like good neighbors, but we need to research the matter and determine what is best for all concerned.”